You have taken a lot of pains to tend your garden to create a wonderful ambiance to surround your home. Since you have made the effort to beautify your garden, you should be able revel in its bounties by spending your evening relaxing on comfortable garden furniture. Your choice of furniture should be such that it blends with the beautiful patch in front of your house.

Good-looking garden furniture is after all designed for outdoor use. Selecting a set of furniture means choosing products that are able to withstand the elements while being affordable and looking elegant.

Wooden garden furniture is a wonderful choice to make, but this needs you to understand the different wood types. Here is a brief on the different types of wood commonly used for constructing garden furniture.

Teak

Teak is an unusually strong, resilient and elegant looking wood. Teak, also called tectona grandis, is a hardwood native to tropics found mainly in south and south East Asia. It makes great furniture material. Carpenters and wood workers favor teak for its smooth weather resistant finish, and hence you can be sure garden furniture made of teak wood will without doubt look impressive.

However, some people tend to have misconceptions that teak furniture requires a lot of maintenance. Nothing can be further from the truth. It is just that, teak will turn grey with age, but the darker, richer shade just enhances the elegance and beauty of the furniture.

However, here are some don’ts that you should remember.

* Do not use varnish or paint on teak wood.
* Do not be too enthusiastic about oiling teak furniture. Oiling is purely cosmetic and does nothing to improve durability. Moreover, do not keep teak furniture outside for too long before oiling. There is a chance that the wood will absorb rain or moisture causing appearance of black mold spores.
* Do not be unduly perturbed if there is a spill on the furniture. Just scrub off the slop with a simple nailbrush applying soapy water.

Hardwood

Hardwood is another popular wood that’s widely used for making furniture. The source of this wood is broad leaved flowering trees. It has rich brown color. The popular varieties are Meranti, Eucalyptus, Mora, Keruing and Balau.

Softwood

Softwoods are sourced from trees that possess seed bearing cones. These trees are also known as coniferous foliage. Pine is a popular softwood material and is used for making furniture. Although softwood looks great in its natural form, it must be treated with stain for preservation. This is a big advantage as it allows you to choose any color that blends with your garden. Another remarkable feature about softwood is, it is easy to stain before assembly. It’s also very easy to maintain softwood furniture. All you need to do is scrub by light sanding a couple of times a year along with applying a fresh coat of wood preservative.

Design your garden furniture set keeping in mind the look of your house, and the foliage of your garden. A worthwhile investment in wooden garden furniture is something you will not regret.

A pleasant look inside our homes is what we always want. In our living room, we want everything to look good. Same thing goes with our bedroom and dining room. For each room or the entire home we have a theme. There are several designs to choose from. There are people who love to have Hekman or classic furniture. All will depend on what we really like the most. Here’s the list of some Hekman furniture:

Castilian Collection
Spanish history is what Castilian collection symbolizes. White mahogany and teak is usually what this furniture is made of. Applying bee’s wax is for the final touch. Each piece is work-of-art to consider like bed, table and chest. Usually, this is seen in elegant manor houses but we may now apply this on our home.

Copley Square Collection
Copley Square is considered one of the finest and popular by the experts. These beautifully created pieces are made of dyewood, tulipwood, ebony and mahogany usually. Due to its verified artistry and craftsmanship of each piece this theme is exceptional.

Loire Valley Collection
This theme is constantly judged as legendary, indulgent and poetic. The inspiration of this theme is the landscapes of Loire Valley. Abundant in architecture and provides pleasure of comfortable lifestyle, this is the purpose of this classic theme. All for the tribute of Loire Valley, each carvings and finishing touches are all blended harmoniously.

Maison de Provence Collection
This theme is done considering this French words: “joie de vivre” which means the joy of living. It was a theme motivated for Provence. Somewhat this classic furniture theme is your passport to “joie de vivre”.

Metropolis Collection
Sophisticated, this is how the experts consider this Hekman furniture. This theme is often considered an absolute feast for the eyes. It can also be considered as new traditional. This theme is Hekman at its finest.

Mountain Retreat Collection
Usually the materials of this theme is knotty birch solids and knotty rogue-cherry veneers. The finishing touch for the pieces are rubbed with a golden oil to attain the Indian Summer color then applying bee’s wax achieves a deep-rich patina.

Repertory Collection
Remarks for this theme is often taking classic to a new stage. Empire and Neoclassical is the type of furnishings. It replicates the designs before in Greek and Roman archeological excavations during the reigns of Napoleon I.

Impact tests are those that assess the strength of the cabinet against the occasional impact that will happen during its lifetime.

HEIGHT IMPACT

Before determining the impact point is placed a sheet of foam, from which we determine the drop height of the impactor. Then, place a second sheet of foam.

The test method is performed according to the following process: first determine the loading point of the seat (point on the seat in the vertical center of mass of the user’s mass) then place a sheet of foam to determine the drop from of it until the impactor, then place a second sheet of foam between the first and the impactor and finally dropped freely impactor with a mass of 25 kg. This process is repeated 10 times and any other position that is considered of importance. If it is a product intended to be used by more than one person, try a square from one end and a central place.

A test which simulates the same is based on American standards ANSI / BIFMA: the test procedure is to drop freely a mass of 102 kg that hits the seat from a fixed height of 152 mm measured from the uncompressed seat to the base of the bag. After it, the test is repeated, this time with a bag loaded with 136 Kg. After the first impact of the seat, it must to be fully operational and after the second must have been produced no sharp breaks.

HEADS RESISTANCE TESTS

Impactor is situated to the starting position of test and control the test parameters, such as time between impact and stop in case of breakage.

Another way to test the seams and seat structure is applying energy from impact test on backrests and armrests. To test is essential to block the movement of the seat sliding and impact in the center of the upper back (or at the rear edge of the seat if it is backless chairs) or on the side of the armrest in the position considered most unfavorable. A total of 10 impacts at each element, from the outside in, with the impact hammer, that consists of a cylindrical head of 6.5 kg mass attached to a steel tube 38 mm in diameter with a thickness of 2 mm and a length of 1 m to the low friction joint. The angle of fall of the hammer to the achievement of impact varies between 38 º and 68 º depending on its intended use the seat.

TABLE IMPACT TEST

In the studies of impacts on tables is turned on the strength of the table to occasional impact when placing things on top of it. The test consists of dropping the impactor freely over the top of the table 10 times, following the same steps that in the case of impacts on the seats of the chairs. The drop height varies between 180 and 240 mm, in the case of tables with glass top security than the drop height varies between 240 and 300 mm, in this case, instead of using two layers of polyether 25 mm thick, using a polyether foam 100 mm thick.

BATHROOM AND KITCHEN FURNITURE IMPACT TEST

It determines the resistance to hard charges located on the drawers of kitchen and bathroom. The test consists of dropping a steel ball of 42.8 mm diameter and a mass of 324 g from a height of 600 mm above the bottom of the drawer when the drawer is 2 / 3 of its total opening. At the end of the test evaluates the possible flaws that affect the mechanical strength or functionality. The fronts of the kitchen and bathroom cabinets (doors and drawers) are impacting the central part of himself with a leather ball with a diameter of 200 mm and a mass of 5 kg from a height of 500 mm. In the case of lower cabinets with doors, are tested after being closed and opened 45 degrees and found that there are no breakages and that the elements continue to function correctly.

TEST IMPACTS ON CHILDREN’S FURNITURE

The impact tests on children and juvenile furniture ensure durability of the model at such issues as the base (cribs), trays (chairs), mattress, safety barriers, etc.., Special mention by the type of furniture and what type of audience that will be use it, where any defect in design or accidental breakage of any component can cause a serious accident.

Test consists on impacts on both the mattress and in the barrier. The base of the cradle hits a thousand times in each of the six points identified by the European Standard. Its dropped freely and avoid the impactor rebounds (10 kg device with a tip mass in the opposite hemisphere and a guide to maintain the vertical and secure the point of impact) from a height of 150 mm between the base and the impactor is placed a cushion with a density test (35 + 2) kg / m3 and a thickness of 60 mm, dismissing every 5 completed trials.

To test the resistance of the head and sides of the cribs, the impactor is placed lateral (pendulum of steel cylindrical head covered with a layer of rubber 10 mm thickness and a hardness between 76 IRHD and 78 IRHD with a total mass of 2 Kg) ready to hit the crossbar or side 10 times from outside and the next rung 10 times from inside to hit all the bars (or all points determined whether it is solid side). The impact is made on a point at a height of 200 mm below the top edge of the side, dropping freely side impact from a horizontal position. Each and every one of the corners of the cribs are impacting five times inside and five on the outside as close as possible to the top edge impactor dropping freely from a 60-degree angle.

Berths are also tested by impacts. The bases are tested on the two beds and the steps of the staircase to the upper bed. The impacts on the bunk bed frame are made on seven points from a height of 180 mm measured from the top of the mattress test (in this case, with a density of (30 + 2) kg / m3 and 100 mm thick ). The impact on the steps of the staircase leading to the upper bed is performed ten times in each of the following: on the steps above, below and you’re closer to the center, hitting the center and as close to one side as possible, is dropped from 150 mm impactor (consisting of a bar of 1400 mm, which places a mass of 15 kg, finished in a steel plate of 100 * 100 * 6 mm).

Every homeowner would love to have a large, spacious backyard – but we all know that not every home is equipped with this luxury. If you’ve simply cut the grass in your small yard space and haven’t given much thought to doing anything with it otherwise – you could be missing out on creating a fun and usable space for you and your family. For example, your bathroom is also a very small space in your home, but by properly furnishing it and giving it the right amount of decorative attention – many homeowners have created beautiful and useful spaces out of their less than spacious bathrooms. By applying the same concept to your yard – you can create a beautiful extension of the home that you and your family will be able to use for years to come.

One of the most important rules to remember when thinking about what you’d like to do with the backyard is remembering that less is more in terms of physical items. This isn’t just important to remember with small spaces – but large ones, as well. Just because you have the space doesn’t mean every inch has to be covered. When dealing with a backyard, it’s important to leave that empty space here and there. This way, your design won’t become overwhelming and your yard won’t become cluttered. After all, it is a backyard and if you have pets or kids – giving them enough room to enjoy the yard itself and also the amenities is extremely important.

A great way to create depth and beauty in a smaller yard is to install a small, elegant stone walkway through the yard that leads to a relaxing area equipped with a small bench surrounded by flowers. Whether you choose to go with stepping stones or you would like rocks of varying shapes and sizes – creating this beautiful path through the yard will give an illusion of depth, as well as giving the homeowner a “sanctuary” of sorts with the bench area. If you have woods around your house, tucking the bench under the shade of the trees will give you the perfect area to spend with a loved one on a hot summer day. Surrounding the bench with beautiful, colorful flowers will help to brighten up the area, as well as add beauty to the yard overall.

Another great way to liven up a small backyard is to add a central focal point. If you have a larger budget, considering installing a fountain is a great idea. Most fountains are extremely easy to set up and don’t take much work to maintain throughout the year. Fountains help to create a calm and tranquil setting – so it’s something that will absolutely add value and beauty to your home. By giving your backyard a focal point, it will act as if you’ve given it a complete facelift. Before, an area where there was nothing to look at has transformed into a small getaway almost instantly. By choosing a fountain style that appeals to you, as well as compliments the style of your home, you’ll have a professional looking backyard in absolutely no time.

So whether you’re ready to transform your backyard once and for all or you’ve just moved in and have a blank slate to work with – giving this area attention is extremely important. As a homeowner, maintaining your lawn goes past simply making sure the grass is cut and the weeds aren’t getting out of control. By putting a bit of extra attention in this area of your home – you and your family will be able to enjoy the space like never before.